Payment of health claims.

Removed the 'Enrolled House Bill' header and replaced it with the standard 'House Bill' format, including a new digest summary and sponsor information.

Adjusted the layout and indentation of the Printing Code instructions and bill text to match the standard House Bill format.

Replaced the 'HEA 1271 - Concur' page markers with standard House Bill pagination and tracking numbers.

Hospitals must now provide written notice of payment assistance programs during registration, at discharge, or with the first bill, and must post signs in registration and emergency areas.

Hospitals are required to make a reasonable effort to notify individuals of available financial help before starting any debt collection actions.

Insurers and health plans are prohibited from using automated processes to submit claims without human review by a provider or staff member.

Insurers are restricted on when they can retroactively reduce reimbursement rates or audit paid claims, preventing arbitrary financial changes.

The document format changed from an 'Engrossed House Bill' draft to an 'Enrolled House Act,' indicating the bill has passed all legislative stages and is ready for signing.

The bill's title and reprint date were updated to reflect its final passage in the Senate on February 2, 2026, and its subsequent engrossment on February 24, 2026.

A new requirement was added prohibiting providers from using automated systems or tools to submit health claims without a review by a provider or other involved person.

The requirement for hospitals to notify patients of payment assistance programs was clarified to mandate a 'reasonable effort' to notify individuals before starting collection actions.

The digest was updated to clarify that insurers and health maintenance organizations must adhere to specific timeframes for requesting repayment or auditing paid claims.

Added a prohibition on third-party contractors from using downcoding in a specified manner, expanding the entities held accountable for billing practices.

Updated requirements for when hospitals must provide notice of payment assistance programs to include situations where a patient is incapable of receiving notice during initial registration.

Added a new definition for 'collection action' to specifically include the sale of bills to collection agencies or the pursuit of litigation.

Broadened the definition of 'payment assistance program' to include any payment plans made available to a patient, rather than just charity care or financial assistance.